Manchester-Euston Super Off-Peak Return weird bank holiday error?

[Panceltic]

Hello,

I am planning to use this ticket in May 2025. My return journey will be on 26 May (bank holiday) and I would like to depart from Euston at about 9am.

I have learnt from previous discussions on this forum that restrictions are usually lifted for bank holidays. My journey is too far in the future to test it with a journey planner, so I checked the linked brfares site for the dates, but there seem to be some oddities.

The restrictions are lifted between 29 March and 1 April (there is no bank holiday around that time), then not lifted for Good Friday and Easter Monday, and then lifted again on Tuesday 27 May (a day after a bank holiday).

Is there any rhyme or reason to this? Should I assume these are errors and will be fixed? Is it likely that my ticket actually won't be valid on 26 May at 9am?

Also, what is the actual validity time on days with restrictions? Restriction code JN mentions "VALID ON DEP BETWEEN 1030-1549 & AFTER 1929", but also "Not valid to depart LONDON EUSTON 0430–1045 on any TOC".

Many thanks for any insight

 

[CyrusWuff]

Hello,

I am planning to use this ticket in May 2025. My return journey will be on 26 May (bank holiday) and I would like to depart from Euston at about 9am.

I have learnt from previous discussions on this forum that restrictions are usually lifted for bank holidays. My journey is too far in the future to test it with a journey planner, so I checked the linked brfares site for the dates, but there seem to be some oddities.

The restrictions are lifted between 29 March and 1 April (there is no bank holiday around that time), then not lifted for Good Friday and Easter Monday, and then lifted again on Tuesday 27 May (a day after a bank holiday).

Is there any rhyme or reason to this? Should I assume these are errors and will be fixed? Is it likely that my ticket actually won't be valid on 26 May at 9am?

The simple answer is that Avanti haven't updated their restriction calendars for next year yet. They'll probably do so for the March fare change, possibly earlier.

 

[Panceltic]

The simple answer is that Avanti haven't updated their restriction calendars for next year yet. They'll probably do so for the March fare change, possibly earlier.

That's great to hear, thanks. I presume you mean West Midlands Trains though, as this ticket specifically excludes Avanti services and is not priced by them?

 

[CyrusWuff]

That's great to hear, thanks. I presume you mean West Midlands Trains though, as this ticket specifically excludes Avanti services and is not priced by them?

Good point. Neglected to check the TOC when replying. Saw Euston and put 2 + 2 together and got 5.

 

[Royston Vasey]

Hello,

I am planning to use this ticket in May 2025. My return journey will be on 26 May (bank holiday) and I would like to depart from Euston at about 9am.

I have learnt from previous discussions on this forum that restrictions are usually lifted for bank holidays. My journey is too far in the future to test it with a journey planner, so I checked the linked brfares site for the dates, but there seem to be some oddities.

The restrictions are lifted between 29 March and 1 April (there is no bank holiday around that time), then not lifted for Good Friday and Easter Monday, and then lifted again on Tuesday 27 May (a day after a bank holiday).

Is there any rhyme or reason to this? Should I assume these are errors and will be fixed? Is it likely that my ticket actually won't be valid on 26 May at 9am?

Also, what is the actual validity time on days with restrictions? Restriction code JN mentions "VALID ON DEP BETWEEN 1030-1549 & AFTER 1929", but also "Not valid to depart LONDON EUSTON 0430–1045 on any TOC".

Many thanks for any insight

Easter 2024 was March 31st and Spring Bank Holiday was Monday 27th. It's practically certain that those Bank Holidays next year will be relaxed too, including Monday 26th.

 

[Panceltic]

Easter 2024 was March 31st and Spring Bank Holiday was Monday 27th. It's practically certain that those Bank Holidays next year will be relaxed too, including Monday 26th.

Ah good point! It didn't cross my mind to cross-reference it with this year's dates. Thank you!

 

[317 forever]

Next Easter is April 18th to 21st.

I thought normal Sunday fare rules applied on Bank Holidays in England and maybe Wales too. Scotland have in some cases different Bank Holidays from England & Wales.